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Zoo Update:

ZooNorth will be closed Nov. 6 & 7 for our fundraising gala, Zoo To Do. All guests can enjoy $10 tickets on those days only. Thank you for understanding.

Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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Get directions to the Dallas Zoo.

Dog Days

COSTUME EDITION

Oct. 30, 2026

A Spooktacular Day Out for You & Your Pup!

Bring your dog to the Dallas Zoo for a howling good time! Dress up your four-legged bestie in their favorite Halloween costume, or coordinate your looks for a fun day together. Explore the Zoo, enjoy wild adventures and make unforgettable memories with your furry friend. With the safety and well-being of guests, dogs, and Zoo animals in mind, everyone can have a wicked good time!

Human Admission:

$22 Adult
$19 Senior/Youth
Free for Dallas Zoo Members 
Free for Children Under 2

Dog Admission:

Dog tickets are sold out, but we welcome humans!

$22 per dog (including dogs of members)

  • A limited number of dog tickets are available for each Dog Days event. Only one (1) dog ticket is permitted per adult guest.
  • Tickets for humans AND dogs must be purchased online, in advance.  

Event Policies & Requirements

Please review the Dog Days event policies and requirements below before buying your admission ticket. By adding a dog ticket to your purchase, you agree to all Dallas Zoo Dog Days requirements.

Each dog owner who visits must:

  • Print, sign, and bring a copy of the waiver below to the Dog Days event.
  • Maintain control of their dog at all times.
  • Promptly clean up after their dog and dispose of the waste properly while on Zoo grounds.
  • Immediately remove their dog from any situation that causes stress, disruption, or unsafe conditions.
  • Follow instructions and requests from Zoo staff immediately.
  • Acknowledge that the Zoo reserves the right to ask a guest and their dog to leave the Zoo for safety, behavioral, or welfare reasons, with no refund.

Each dog who visits must:

  • Be at least four (4) months old.
  • Be in good health and free from injuries, contagious diseases, and parasites.
  • Be up to date on all required vaccinations (rabies, distemper, parvovirus, bordetella, leptospirosis, and current parasite prevention).
  • Not be subject to any quarantine, legal restrictions, or classified as dangerous or vicious.
  • Remain under the control of the ticket holder, who must be an individual 18 years old or older (limited to one (1) dog per adult guest).
  • Be kept on a 6-foot, non-retractable leash at all times.
  • Be well-behaved and comfortable in public environments.
  • Be friendly toward people and other dogs, and must not exhibit aggressive, fearful, or disruptive behavior.

Dog owners and dogs in costumes must:

  • Dress appropriately for a family-friendly environment and keep the weather in mind, as this is an outdoor event.
  • Not include musical instruments or noisemakers of any kind.
  • Not include masks or face concealments.
  • Not include weapons or weapon-like accessories, including blades, firearms, or other items that could harm another guest or resemble a weapon.
  • The Dallas Zoo may refuse entry to any human and/or their dog dressed in a manner deemed by management offensive or inappropriate.

#1 Required

Print, sign, and bring the waiver to Dog Days.

Download Event Waiver

#2 Get Tickets

Dog tickets are sold out, but we welcome humans!

Buy Tickets

Event Map

Use our digital map to plan your route and see where you can explore with your dog.

Coming soon

Open Digital Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Tickets

Before purchasing tickets, all guests who plan to attend with their dog must read the event policies and requirements. Guests must purchase Dog Days tickets online, in advance.

Steps to purchase a ticket:

  • Click Buy Tickets to begin your purchase.
  • Add your guests.
  • Select event date as your visit date.
  • Select the time of your visit.
  • Then, add a Dog Admission Ticket to your visit and proceed to checkout.

If you plan to attend with your dog, you must print, sign, and bring the event waiver to the Zoo to participate in Dog Days at the Dallas Zoo.

Download Event Waiver

  • Human admission and dog admission are separate tickets. Guests must have both admission tickets to attend Dog Days.
  • Guests can purchase at least one (1) adult ticket to add one (1) dog ticket to their order. All dogs must have their own admission ticket. No ticket, no entry.
  • Guests must purchase a Dog Days ticket online, in advance.
  • A limited number of dog tickets are available for each event date. Once they’re sold out, no additional dog tickets will be released.
  • Adult admission: $22
  • Dog admission: $22 (including dogs of members)
  • Senior/Youth admission: $19
  • Free for Dallas Zoo Members
  • Free for Children Under 2
  • The Zoo is open rain or shine, and the event will take place as long as there is no dangerous weather forecasted in the area.  
  • In the event of severe weather, we will contact Dog Days ticket holders by email with event updates.
  • Dallas Zoo tickets are non-refundable. However, we will try to make accommodation to reschedule your visit for another day. Please contact our Guest Services team at 469.554.7501 or email Tickets@DallasZoo.com for assistance.
  • As dogs will only be allowed on Dog Days, there will be no refunds or reschedules for dog admission.

Upcoming Dog Days events:

  • Oct. 30, 2026 – SOLD OUT
  • Feb. 19, 2027 – Tickets on sale Jan. 20!

Event Information

  • The ratio is one (1) dog per adult guest. Humans are limited to handling one (1) dog at a time, and dogs must be accompanied by their designated human (18 years old or older) at all times.
  • While we love all animals, this event is for dogs only. No other pets are permitted.
  • Service dogs are always welcome at the Dallas Zoo and do not require tickets or advance registration. Guests with ADA-compliant service animals should check in with Guest Services at our ticket booths upon arrival. Learn more about our accessibility options at the Dallas Zoo. Learn More
  • Dogs may only attend the Zoo on designated event dates, and only if they have tickets for the event.
  • We strive to ensure all guests are comfortable and enjoy their visit to the Zoo, so we strongly recommend choosing a different day to visit to ensure you have the best experience.
  • Yes, dog owners and their dogs can wear costumes to Dog Days at the Zoo on Oct. 30, 2026 only.

    All event participants must follow our costume requirements:
    – Dress appropriately for a family-friendly environment and keep the weather in mind, as this is an outdoor event.
    – Gory or frightening costumes are discouraged.
    – Costumes must not include musical instruments or noisemakers of any kind. Musical performances are prohibited on Zoo grounds.
    – Costumes must not include masks or face concealment.
    – Costumes must not include weapons or weapon-like accessories, including blades, firearms, or other items that could harm another guest or resemble a weapon.

    The Dallas Zoo may refuse entry to any guest and/or their dog if their costume or attire is deemed offensive or inappropriate by management. This includes clothing that is excessively revealing, made of transparent material, or displays offensive symbols, language, or images.

    Refunds will NOT be issued if a guest and their dog are asked to leave because their costume violates these guidelines.

  • Yes! Guests can enjoy a complimentary photo with your pup during the event, generously provided by our sponsor, Haute Dog Photography. Use our digital map to find the location.
  • Guests are welcome to capture paw-fect moments and good times on their phones and personal cameras. However, anyone planning to take photos or video at the Dallas Zoo for commercial purposes must submit a written request at least two weeks in advance before the planned shoot. Contact Press@DallasZoo.com for details.

Safety & Welfare Guidelines

  • Dogs who attend must be friendly toward people and other dogs, and must not exhibit aggressive, fearful, or disruptive behavior.
  • Dogs that display aggressive behavior or cause stress or disruption to Zoo animals, guests, or other dogs will be asked to leave. Biting, fighting, or bullying of dogs or people is strictly prohibited, and guests violating this policy will be escorted from the Zoo.
  • Dogs attending Dog Days must be at least four (4) months old.
  • Dogs must be in good health and free from injuries, contagious diseases, and parasites.
  • Owners must confirm that their dogs are up to date on all required vaccinations (rabies, distemper, parvovirus, bordetella, leptospirosis) and current on parasite prevention.
  • Dog handlers must be 18 years or older, and must be the registered owner of the dog attending the event.
  • Dog handlers are limited to handling one (1) dog at a time, and dogs must be accompanied by their handler at all times.
  • Dog handlers must maintain control of their dog at all times and immediately remove their dog from any situation that causes stress, disruption, or unsafe conditions.
  • Humans must promptly clean up after their dog and dispose of the waste properly while on Zoo grounds.
  • For the safety of all dogs and guests, puppies under 4 months old, dogs that are sick or recovering from injuries (e.g., have stitches or bandages), and female dogs in heat are not permitted.
  • Dogs must always wear a properly fitted collar or harness that includes two tags: one with the owner’s contact information and one confirming rabies vaccination.
  • Dogs must remain at all times on a 6-foot or shorter, non-retractable leash that is attached to a secure, non-breakaway collar or harness.
  • Leashes must be attached at all times, even when a dog is in a carrier or stroller.
  • Retractable leashes are not permitted. Dogs must be on a sturdy, non-retractable leash at all times.

Map / Restricted Areas / Relief Areas

Guests and their dogs are not allowed in all areas across the Zoo. For the safety of guests, dogs, and Zoo animals, dogs are not permitted in the following areas:

  • Prime Meridian and Serengeti Grill indoor dining areas (outdoor patios are permitted)
  • Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo
  • Birds Landing
  • Forest Aviary
  • Giraffe Feeding Station
  • Gift Shop
  • All rides, including the Endangered Species Carousel, Monarch Express mini-train, and the Wild Explorer VR Experience

Construction Update: Select areas in the Wilds of Africa will be closed as we begin construction of African Shorelines, the first phase of our Safari Trail expansion project.

  • Designated relief areas and water stations will be available throughout the Zoo during Dog Days.
    • Dog relief stations are located at:
      • The Grove
      • Tiger Lot Entry
    • Dog only water stations are located:
      • Sweet Treats
      • Kilimanjaro Cones
      • The Grove
  • Guests must bring their own water bowls, dog treats, and relief/waste bags.
  • Please help us keep the Zoo clean by picking up after your dog. Bring extra relief/waste bags in case of accidents outside the designated areas.

Dogs are not permitted inside any Zoo restaurants, but dogs are welcome at restaurant patios and outdoor eating areas. Our restaurants will have some accommodations in place to help guests order food and beverages outdoors and deliver to guests who need to remain outdoors with their dog.

  • Dogs are not allowed in the multi-stall restrooms for their own safety and the safety of guests. However, there will be single-stall restrooms clearly marked as dog-friendly areas, should guests need to take their dog with them.
  • The dog-friendly single-use / family restrooms are located:
    • Hippo Hut
    • Base Camp
    • Monarch Express
    • Outside Serengeti Grill

Save the Date

The next Dog Days is Feb. 19!
Tickets on sale Jan. 20.

Sponsored by: